News for Tuesday

22 Jan 2013

The wild weather in Australia continues as fire warnings are still in place around the nation. Oswald, however, has been downgraded. Plus, in a miraculous story of bravery, a British tourist has saved toddlers from a six-foot shark.

Public ceremony as Obama sworn in

After a private ceremony on Sunday, the US has watched as President Obama was sworn in for his second term. He has vowed to pursue an ambitious agenda including immigration, gun control and the recovery of the economy. Read the full story and hear Obama’s 18-minute speech on the ABC.

Weather around Australia

Tropical Cyclone Oswald has been downgraded since making landfall overnight with gusts up to 100km per hour. Read the full report. Meanwhile, fires continue to flare in Gippsland as crews are tested yet again. Aircraft are being diverted away from the area. The fire in Aberfeldy has destroyed 22 homes and burnt through 60,000 hectares already. Read more. For all fire warnings in Victoria, see the CFA website. 

Prince Harry in candid interview

Prince Harry has spoken about his combat experience, admitting to killing Afghan insurgents. He has also discussed the infamous Las Vegas incident, and the media’s effect on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their unborn baby. News.com.au has the full story.

Australian housing market unaffordable

The latest Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey has shown that Australia has the most unaffordable housing markets in the world, with Sydney and Melbourne both classified as “severely or seriously unaffordable”. The Age has a breakdown of the report.

British tourist defeats shark

Paul Marshallsea, holidaying from Britain, has grabbed a six-foot shark and dragged it away from toddlers playing in shallow water at a Noosa beach. The incident was caught on camera by a local news crew. Read the full story and see the amazing video below.